What's Your Goal?

Monday, June 13, 2011

You know, since January I've really lost my focus a bit. Yes, I've continued to lose weight but perhaps not as quickly as possible because I fall off a bit on the weekends. I'd really like to lose another 20 or so but I need to get my weekends in check to get it done." I say.

"When do you want to have this done by?" my friend asks.

"Well, I'd like to be down 15 by mid-August, when we go on vacation."

"Do-able. What was your original goal when you first started this weight loss? Was it 20 pounds? 30?"

I thought for a moment and then replied "My original goal was to stick-with-it."

"Then you've already succeeded. Whether you lose more or not. Look how far you have come."

"Yes. You are right. And if we were leaving on vacation tomorrow I'd still be happy with myself. And if in August we leave and I still weigh the same as now, I will be happy with myself"

This is coming from a girl who's been over-weight her entire life, never ever happy with herself. I've managed to lose 70 pounds so far and have never felt better. I have done this by eating well and exercising but also by never restricting myself to the point of ever feeling deprived or over-pushed with physical activity. I've stuck-with-it because I like how I feel about myself. I'm asked all the time "Don't you feel better now that you've lost all this weight?" and my response is to point to my head. I feel better upstairs more than anywhere else. Sure it's a ton of fun to feel STRONG, to look good and to wear clothes I've never been able to wear, but most important to me is that I like me. I like not berating myself constantly. I like not thinking about food constantly. I like not worrying all the time about how I look. I LOVE knowing that I am being a good example to my two young children, knowing that they will have an active, healthy mommy who will teach them the best way to take care of their bodies; by eating well, exercising and loving themselves.

My goal when I started this time around was to stick-with-it. And that I've done. And it's what I'll continue to do.